National Park Service staff and partners will be celebrating National Park Week at Reconstruction Era National Historical Park April 20 through April 28, 2019.  Numerous special programs and exhibits will be offered throughout the week as part of the celebration, which will showcase the park and highlight stories of Reconstruction. 

The celebration will kick off on Saturday, April 20th at Darrah Hall, located at the historic Penn Center.  American Gullah, an exhibit by local Artist Sonja Griffin Evans, will be open from 10 am to 4 pm and a ceremony celebrating Reconstruction Era National Historical Park will take place there at 1 pm.  Activities will be offered daily at various sites throughout the park.

Reconstruction Era National Historical Park was designated in January of 2017 as a National Monument.  The new National Historical Park designation came about as a result of recent legislation. Activities during National Park Week will focus on the park and its stories.  These activities are open to all and are free of charge.  The schedule of events are as follows:

Saturday, April 20 – Darrah Hall at the historic Penn Center
10 am to 4 pm – American Gullah Exhibit
10 am – Reconstruction and the Sea Islands program
11 am – Reconstruction and the Sea Islands program
1 pm – National Park Week Celebration Ceremony

Sunday, April 21 – Park Visitor Center at 706 Craven Street in Beaufort
12 pm to 4 pm – Military and Veterans Recognition Day, special programs offered on the hour and special gifts for veterans and military members.

Monday, April 22 – Earth Day Celebration at Park Visitor Center
9 am to 4 pm – Special activities for kids and kids at heart!  Video exhibit showcasing the national parks.

Tuesday, April 23 – Transportation Day at Park Visitor Center
9 am to 4 pm – Port Royal Railroad exhibit and National Parks video exhibit

Wednesday, April 24 – Darrah Hall at the historic Penn Center
10 am – Nature walk focusing on survival on the Sea Islands during Reconstruction

Thursday, April 25 – Park Visitor Center

9 am to 4 pm – National Parks video exhibit

Friday, April 26 – Park Visitor Center

10 am – Robert Smalls program and walk

12 pm – Robert Smalls program and walk

2 pm – Robert Smalls program and walk

Saturday, April 27 – Darrah Hall at the historic Penn Center

10 am – Reconstruction and the Sea Islands

11 am – Reconstruction and the Sea Islands

12 pm – Reconstruction and the Sea Islands

For more information on the park and programs, follow us on Facebook atwww.facebook.com/ReconstructionNPSor visit the park website atwww.nps.gov/reer.